Registration and Morning Coffee
The Boot Camp will be moderated by Lisa Zhao, who leads Meltwater’s Public Sector Team in Canada. In her six years at Meltwater, Lisa has supported customers across all levels of government, including Federal, Provincial, Crown, and City agencies. She has been instrumental in deploying a wide range of Public Affairs and Communications programs, covering media monitoring, issues management, crisis communications, social media management, and analysis projects. Lisa’s responsibilities span the entire customer journey—from evaluation and implementation to customer success and optimization. Her focus is on applying best practices from her extensive experience to modernize Public Affairs and Communications programs within the Canadian Government.
Political Power Plays: Navigating Election Impact on Organizational Reputation and PR Strategies
Discover the intricate interplay between political events, elections, and the reputation of your organization in this engaging session led by Shaila. As political landscapes continue to evolve, so too does their influence on public perception and the strategies employed by PR professionals.
In this session, Shaila will delve into the nuanced ways in which political events shape not only the broader PR world but also directly impact the reputation and image of your organization. Drawing on real-world examples and expert analysis, attendees will gain valuable insights into crafting resilient PR strategies that can withstand the turbulence of political shifts.
From leveraging opportunities to mitigating risks, Shaila will provide actionable tactics for safeguarding and enhancing your organization's reputation amidst the ever-changing political landscape. Whether you're facing an imminent election or preparing for long-term reputation management, this session offers indispensable guidance for PR practitioners at all levels.
Shaila Manyam, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Corporate and Public Affairs, BCW Global
Navigating the Maze of AI-Fueled Disinformation: Strategies for Effective Response
Ask executives what threats they're concerned about nowadays and the chances are that disinformation will be high on the list. Join Edelman's Global Head of Digital Crisis Dave Fleet, who also oversees Edelman's Counter-Disinformation Unit, as he examines why concerns over disinformation are so pervasive nowadays, how AI facilitates the spread of false information and how to identify the warning signs. Discover proactive strategies for debunking and countering false narratives, and learn about collaborative efforts to enhance digital literacy and critical thinking skills. This session offers indispensable insights and actionable steps for navigating the complex landscape of misinformation with resilience and integrity.
Dave Fleet, Head of Global Digital Crisis, Edelman
Navigating Media Relations in Permacrisis
Join Susan for insights on effectively conveying your organization's story amidst today's complex news environment. Learn strategies to cut through the noise, showcase positive narratives, and manage crises to build trust and credibility. Gain practical guidance for enhancing your media relations approach in the era of permacrisis.
Susan Skiles Luke, Senior Manager, US Crop Protection and Corporate Communications, Syngenta
Lunch for Speakers and Delegates
The Vital Role of Clear Communication with the Government and Government Agencies During a Crisis
Join us for an illuminating session with Tom Chervinsky, a distinguished expert from TELUS, who will shed light on the paramount importance of clear communication with the Government during a crisis. In an era defined by dynamic and unpredictable events, the ability to effectively engage with government agencies and officials can be the linchpin to successfully navigating turbulent times.
Tom Chervinsky, Director, Government Relations, TELUS Health
A Guide to Preparing Your Leaders for High-stakes Interviews During Times of Crisis
When a crisis occurs, your organization's leaders need to take the lead in crisis communications. Aside from a timely response and transparent communication, giving insightful and empathic media interviews is fundamental to protecting your organization's reputation. In this session, Marina will explain how to prepare your leaders for crisis interviews with a particular focus on:
- How to assess your key objectives and messages
- Identifying the pitfalls for your leader
- Setting your leader up for success
- Preparing Leaders for TV versus print
Marina Jimenez, Director, Communications, Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, UHN
Networking and Refreshment Break
Communicating at the Speed of Science – A Pandemic Case Study
Christina will discuss the importance of fast-tracking the transformation of your communications strategy during times of unprecedented change, as well as lessons learned from Pfizer's communications efforts during the pandemic and how these lessons are incorporated into the company's communications strategy.
Christina Antoniou, Director, External Communications / Corporate Affairs Lead, Canada at Pfizer
Case Study: Communication Strategies During Ongoing Protests - Ottawa, Canada Freedom Convoy Occupation
Hundreds of trucks and other vehicles, organized under Freedom Convoy 2022, clogged traffic in Ottawa's core for weeks. Julie will share with you the strategies that Ottawa Police used to communicate during the protests, the lessons they learned, and how they will use this experience to better their public relations in the future. Julie will also discuss how Police can better engage with the public and build trust with their constituents. She will also explain how the Police should strive to use de-escalation techniques to resolve conflicts. Finally, she will discuss how the Police will use the Freedom Convoy 2022 incident to improve their communication strategy.
Julie Kavanagh, Manager, Corporate Communications, Ottawa Police
End of Day One
Revitalizing Your Crisis Plan: A Real-Life Scenario Workshop with Donald Steel
Join us for a transformative Crisis Simulation Workshop led by esteemed crisis communication expert, Donald Steel, as we dive into the ever-changing landscape of crisis communications in a post-pandemic world. In this extended session, we'll focus on the crucial process of updating your crisis plan with real-life scenarios, ensuring your organization remains resilient and adaptable in the face of modern challenges.
This immersive workshop combines established best practices with innovative approaches, empowering crisis communicators to effectively support those affected by crises and protect their organization's reputation. You'll engage in hands-on exercises, collaborating with your peers to navigate complex crisis scenarios that involve social media, media interviews, and delicate press conferences.
By the conclusion of this workshop, you'll walk away with:
- Donald's top ten crisis communication strategies tailored to the post-pandemic era.
- A concrete plan to enhance your leadership team's preparedness for crisis communication.
- A heightened understanding of effective communication in today's increasingly assertive environment.
Upon completing the workshop, you'll be equipped to:
- Understand the crucial connection between pre-crisis preparation and swift crisis response.
- Possess the skills to evaluate and adapt your organization's social media communication style during crises.
- Be proficient in handling assertive question types during crisis media interviews.
- Be well-prepared to update and revise your organization's crisis communication plan based on the valuable insights gained during the workshop.
Don't miss this opportunity to fortify your crisis preparedness and embrace the future of crisis communications with confidence.
About Your Workshop Leader:
Donald Steel, Vice President, Crisis Communications, Kenyon International Emergency Services and Former Chief Communications Adviser at the BBC
Donald Steel has built a global reputation as a crisis communicator. For more than 25 years he has given strategic counsel to organisations and high profile individuals in a range of serious situations, including aircraft incidents, terrorism, kidnapping, serious accidents, executive and personal misconduct, fraud, litigation and inquests and serious regulatory and diplomatic issues.
He was for 11 years, the chief media spokesman of the BBC.
In his own practice, based in London, he worlds with a range of corporate, government, NGO and individual clients across the UK, Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, North America and Asia Pacific and Australasia. His clients includes airlines, hospitals, universities, hotel groups, UN agencies, orchestras, the Eurovision Song Contest, arts venues and high profile artistes.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in London and of the Royal Society of Arts. He is a regular guest lecturer at the London School of Economics and the China Media Centre of the University of Westminster.
Alongside his own practice, last year he was appointed Vice President, Crisis Communications at Kenyon International Emergency Services, the worlds longest serving and most admired responder to incidents involving fatality and injury. Based in Houston, Berkshire (UK), Beirut and Santo Domingo, Kenyon’s clients range from leading airlines, cruise companies, hotel groups, governments, police forces, local authorise and companies across the world who work in high risk situations. In this role, Donald leads a team of senior crisis communicators based around the world, ready to respond to clients.
He was a member of Aviation Futures, a recent think tank of the UK Civil Aviation Authority supporting the CAA on planning the regulation of future developments in aviation.
